In Proverbs 31, unlike the remainder of women in the Bible, the woman described does not have a specific name, which to me states that any woman can be her and should strive to be her because she is amazing.
She operates in nothing below excellence and is a woman of value, she has worth. (vs.10) I believe her worth is compared to exceed that of a precious stone because she is a rare find, and the more rare and scarce something is the more precious it becomes. Her mate feels secure with her. He feels safe putting his confidence in her, he feels he can depend on her and she won’t let him down, he entrusts her with his vision, his strengths, his weaknesses, his insecurities. He is not afraid to be vulnerable in front of her. (vs. 11) She respects her mate and has a desire to please and assist him. She doesn’t do things intentionally to hurt/upset him or those around him. She undergirds her mate in prayer and sets the atmosphere in their home so that when he is done fighting the day to day he can come home and be at peace. She loves him unconditionally and she is not contentious. (vs. 12) She knows how to obtain the necessities needed to run her household and is not lazy. She is not afraid to work. She willingly moves in her role and position with grace.(vs. 13) She has knowledge/wisdom on how to handle the finances and how to invest. She has the understanding of sowing and reaping and continues that cycle so that a continuous profit is being brought into her household. She also uses her gifts and talents to produce income for the family, if need be. (vs. 14, 16, 24) Spiritually this woman is one who spends time in prayer, fasting, worship and the study of the Word. She lives a life of consecration. She ensures that not just the natural man is filled within her household but that the spirit is fed as well. And not only does she provide this for her household but for those connected to her household. (vs. 15) She fastens herself not with her own strength but the strength of the Lord, His Word and His Principles and she strengthens herself in all areas, Physically, Spiritually, Financially, Mentally and Emotionally. (vs. 17, 25) She is a woman who knows who she is and knows who she is in the Anointing. She has confidence and therefore, no one can put out the fire that is within her, she shines wherever she is at, even in seasons of darkness. (vs.18) She is a woman of ownership and influence. She is warm and inviting. She extends herself to others and an example to other women. She is the center that holds everything around her together. (vs. 19) She is not selfish, she gives of herself and sows into the lives of others, especially those less fortunate than she in money and what money can’t buy. She knows she has been blessed to be a blessing. She also sows/volunteers within her community. She is charitable. (vs. 20) She is fearless. She does not fear when trials or tribulations hit her home because she knows her household is covered in the Blood. (vs.21) She is royalty. (vs. 22) She is a comparable helpmeet to her mate that doesn’t minister to his function but ministers to him so he can function. Her mate is known in what he does. He excels in his function. (vs.23) She understands the power of the tongue and uses her words to edify and encourage, not to tear down. She is slow to speak and quick to listen. She speaks from a place of wisdom and not from her emotions. She speaks intelligently. (vs. 26) She keeps a watchful eye over her household. She ensures that they keep their faith first and in the forefront. She ensures that her household does not grow weary in well doing, get comfortable or settle but that they always reach for their full potential and move in what they are called to do. She keeps out strife and keeps everyone in agreement. (vs. 27) Those who know her, including her mate, recognize and appreciate who she is and they tell her so and this encourages her for when times can be challenging. Her mate knows she was designed especially for him because she came out of him. And though there are many women out there, to her mate, she surpasses them all. (vs. 28, 29) She is not deceitful. She does not pretend to be something she is not. She is beautiful, but her true beauty lies within. She has a true relationship, not a religion with God. (vs. 30) Lastly, this woman produces. There is fruit seen in what she puts her hands to, evidence. And the fruit will speak for her. She will not have to defend herself or prove herself. (vs. 31)
I always question why the Scripture starts with “Who can find a virtuous woman?” I think it is because she is so hidden in God that the man has to seek God to find her. Unfortunately, today’s women have made it so easy for men that one can understand why they would prefer to not seek for the virtuous woman. The wait in being found can be discouraging to the one striving to reach the balance of the virtuous woman and many times cause her to lower her standards, settle and/or retreat. And the number of those retreating, I believe, in the past years has increased and opened the door to her death. She is so far and few between.
Well, TODAY, it is time to stop settling, raise the standard and open the door to her resurrection. If we don’t, the next generation of young women will have no example except what they see on TV and let’s be real, who wants their daughter, friend or sister to get their life lessons from “Snookie”.
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